Wake Forest C/O 2018 Applicants (2014-2015 cycle) Forum

[cuboxing25]

just withdrew my offer. Good luck to everyone!

How come? What led you to your decision?

I had more desire to go to UNC, they gave me a better offer too. I probably couldve gotten them to match it but I liked UNC's programs a bit more.

[BasilHallward]

Just finished the essays for Hearn Scholarship. Does anyone have an idea of how many awards are given out?

[cal2013]

Just finished the essays for Hearn Scholarship. Does anyone have an idea of how many awards are given out?

Welp thanks for the reminder. Have it filled out and forgot to submit it.

[Tot12Tator]

Just got my decision email. I've been denied. Wake was a pretty big reach for me, so this isn't shocking. Good luck to everyone else!

[GH48]

Current students who have posted in here, any input you have would be great.

I've been admitted with a full ride, and I'd ultimately like to live/practice in the VA/NC/SC area, and Wake seems like an attractive option. However, looking at the 2013 ABA stats, the unemployment rate and rate of grads employed without Full Time, Long Term positions is worrying me a little bit when compared to some of the other schools I was accepted to. (A crude spreadsheet I threw together puts the rate of 2013 grads without FT LT jobs at ~37%)

So, for current students/grads- is this the kind of thing where, say, the bottom X percent of the graduating class doesn't get jobs right away because maybe they didn't apply themselves in school, etc? How do you see this sort of thing working out with your classmates who've graduated or are about to?

[keekztresq]

Current students who have posted in here, any input you have would be great.

I've been admitted with a full ride, and I'd ultimately like to live/practice in the VA/NC/SC area, and Wake seems like an attractive option. However, looking at the 2013 ABA stats, the unemployment rate and rate of grads employed without Full Time, Long Term positions is worrying me a little bit when compared to some of the other schools I was accepted to. (A crude spreadsheet I threw together puts the rate of 2013 grads without FT LT jobs at ~37%)

So, for current students/grads- is this the kind of thing where, say, the bottom X percent of the graduating class doesn't get jobs right away because maybe they didn't apply themselves in school, etc? How do you see this sort of thing working out with your classmates who've graduated or are about to?

Also interested in this

[nutininut]

The FB group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/813929065353091/.

[cricketlove00]

Current students who have posted in here, any input you have would be great.

I've been admitted with a full ride, and I'd ultimately like to live/practice in the VA/NC/SC area, and Wake seems like an attractive option. However, looking at the 2013 ABA stats, the unemployment rate and rate of grads employed without Full Time, Long Term positions is worrying me a little bit when compared to some of the other schools I was accepted to. (A crude spreadsheet I threw together puts the rate of 2013 grads without FT LT jobs at ~37%)

So, for current students/grads- is this the kind of thing where, say, the bottom X percent of the graduating class doesn't get jobs right away because maybe they didn't apply themselves in school, etc? How do you see this sort of thing working out with your classmates who've graduated or are about to?

Also interested in this

Wake's numbers did fall this past year and it'll show when the rankings come out, I'm sure. If you have any specific questions about the numbers, I'd recommend calling Wake. They don't hide the ball and will tell you straight up what they think about the numbers -- Wake has always been fantastic and transparent about those things.

Honestly, I'm a 1L so I can't shed a lot of light on it, but I have to say that those who apply themselves, do moderately well, and land good internships don't seem to have a problem getting jobs at least a few months after graduation. No matter where you go (unless it's T-14, and even then...), there will be people who simply don't have jobs because the jobs aren't there. Also, I don't mean to scare you with this, but the bottom X percent aren't necessarily there because they didn't apply themselves... sometimes law school is just not everyone's cup of tea and a law school exam is just weird as hell. Some people excel, others don't.

Regardless, I would say that it's true that the bottom 20 percent or so have a much harder time finding jobs than the rest, but that's also in every school. I would recommend looking at the trajectory of ABA data, not just last year. Wake has always gone up and down a little bit, but last year was pretty dismal compared to 2012.

[GH48]

Current students who have posted in here, any input you have would be great.

I've been admitted with a full ride, and I'd ultimately like to live/practice in the VA/NC/SC area, and Wake seems like an attractive option. However, looking at the 2013 ABA stats, the unemployment rate and rate of grads employed without Full Time, Long Term positions is worrying me a little bit when compared to some of the other schools I was accepted to. (A crude spreadsheet I threw together puts the rate of 2013 grads without FT LT jobs at ~37%)

So, for current students/grads- is this the kind of thing where, say, the bottom X percent of the graduating class doesn't get jobs right away because maybe they didn't apply themselves in school, etc? How do you see this sort of thing working out with your classmates who've graduated or are about to?

Also interested in this

Wake's numbers did fall this past year and it'll show when the rankings come out, I'm sure. If you have any specific questions about the numbers, I'd recommend calling Wake. They don't hide the ball and will tell you straight up what they think about the numbers -- Wake has always been fantastic and transparent about those things.

Honestly, I'm a 1L so I can't shed a lot of light on it, but I have to say that those who apply themselves, do moderately well, and land good internships don't seem to have a problem getting jobs at least a few months after graduation. No matter where you go (unless it's T-14, and even then...), there will be people who simply don't have jobs because the jobs aren't there. Also, I don't mean to scare you with this, but the bottom X percent aren't necessarily there because they didn't apply themselves... sometimes law school is just not everyone's cup of tea and a law school exam is just weird as hell. Some people excel, others don't.

Regardless, I would say that it's true that the bottom 20 percent or so have a much harder time finding jobs than the rest, but that's also in every school. I would recommend looking at the trajectory of ABA data, not just last year. Wake has always gone up and down a little bit, but last year was pretty dismal compared to 2012.

Thanks for the input. I'm visiting Wake later this month, so I'll be sure to talk to the admissions office about it.

[fisheatbananas]

Checking in. App went complete 10/21/2014, got an invitation to do their online interview but declined, and haven't heard anything since then.

[Wattz]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

[NoOneImportant]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

Whoops.

[cal2013]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

I don't usually care about rankings very much, but this is a little concerning for me. I wonder if Wake will respond at all.

[iguazu]

Withdrawn my offer and monies. Hope it goes to someone that wants to be in NC next year!

[hdaze]

I also withdrew my offer and $. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

[ms9]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

I need to fix this slightly:

"Wake got roughed up a little in the USNWR, down 16 spots to 47 per Spivey Consulting"

We aren't judging or putting any stock in the rankings, just reporting. I can assure you Wake isn't "16 places worse" today than it was Sunday, whatever that may mean. Indeed, I think highly of the school.

[NoOneImportant]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

I need to fix this slightly:

"Wake got roughed up a little in the USNWR, down 16 spots to 47 per Spivey Consulting"

We aren't judging or putting any stock in the rankings, just reporting. I can assure you Wake isn't "16 places worse" today than it was Sunday, whatever that may mean. Indeed, I think highly of the school.

What do you think it means then? Anything to do with Wake being 56th for Big Law jobs last year? http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog ... ings-.html

[Wattz]

According to Spivey Consulting, Wake got roughed up in the USNWR. Down 16 spots to #47

I need to fix this slightly:

"Wake got roughed up a little in the USNWR, down 16 spots to 47 per Spivey Consulting"

We aren't judging or putting any stock in the rankings, just reporting. I can assure you Wake isn't "16 places worse" today than it was Sunday, whatever that may mean. Indeed, I think highly of the school.

I only meant that I saw it on your blog first, and the results hadn't been released by USNWR yet. Didn't mean to imply that your company had made the rankings.

[Moneytrees]

Droves of employers are fleeing Winston-Salem right now.

[AT9]

1L here. If you want more details about my opinion of the school, feel free to PM me.

However, I would agree tha USNews should not be a factor in your choice of a school. It's a rough indicator of quality and employment outcomes, but who needs a rough indicator when exact numbers are published? This goes for any school, not just Wake. Wake was in the 40's a few years ago and 31 yesterday. Could be in the 20's or 60's five years from now, but it doesn't matter either way. Judge your decision based on the COA, your personal goals, and job data (LST).

[Penca52515]

Just withdrew my admissions seat and scholarship offer. Not because of USNR but because of a better offer elsewhere. I was genuinely impressed by Wake Forest and still believe it is a great law program.

Good luck everyone!

[WakeLawAdmDean]

Admitted students received the following response to the US News ranking released today.

"Today U.S. News and World Report released the annual ranking of law schools and other graduate programs. We want to assure you that the quality of our program remains strong. Historically rankings bounce around a bit, and we know from experience that this decline is temporary.

As you consider your options for law school you should keep things in perspective. There is a time lag involved in the U.S. News ranking system, and we have already taken strategic measures to address areas that negatively impacted the statistics for the Class of 2013, on which the newest ranking is based. We believe that the unexpected drop in bar passage in 2013 explains our lower employment rate at nine months following graduation, the area in which we most differed from our peer institutions.

In the time since the Class of 2013 graduated, we have implemented courses aimed specifically at helping students prepare for the bar exam as a part of their regular coursework and increased employment-specific curricular and extracurricular programs. We take bar passage and employment very seriously and want to assure you that we remain vigilant in these areas whatever our ranking.

Keep in mind that U.S. News is only one measure of our law school. Our reputation in the legal community and higher education is unquestionable. Generations of Wake Forest Law alumni will attest to the value of their law school experience in shaping successful careers and lives. We are confident that as a student at Wake Forest Law, you'll receive the highest quality legal education available.


If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly."

Warm regards,

Jay Shively
--
R. Jay Shively, Jr.
Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid
Wake Forest University | School of Law
Box 7206
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
336.758.5705 office
336.608.2811 cell
336.758.3930 fax
shivelrj@wfu.edu
jayshively@gmail.com
http://www.law.wfu.edu

[jendux]

Go Wake Law! Thanks Dean Shively

[withoutapaddle]

Jay Shively,

Serious questions... Are you a graduate of Wake Forest Law? Have you ever attended a class? If not, how can you possibly know whether or not the law education at Wake Forest is good or not. Wake Forest Law only placed 56% of their students into JD required positions. Only 13% got big law. Which means a large number of your graduates moved back in with their parents... I mean roomates.

[Penca52515]

just withdrew my offer. Good luck to everyone!

How come? What led you to your decision?

I had more desire to go to UNC, they gave me a better offer too. I probably couldve gotten them to match it but I liked UNC's programs a bit more.

Missed this response earlier. I am in the same situation.